Sectional refrigerated display case



April 14, 1942.

v c. F. HOFFMAN SECTIONAL REFRIGERATED DISPLAY CASE Filed Dec. 8, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR C YR U5 FT HOFFMAN. BY m ATTORNEY April 14, 1942. c. F. HOFFMAN 2,279,945

SECTIONAL REFRIGERATED DISPLAY CASE v Filed Dec. 8, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR CYRUS E HOFFMAN.

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BY .ATTORNEY necessary to buy new fixtures.

' Patented Apr. 14, 1942 2,279,945 SECTIONAL REFRIGERATED DISPLAY CASE Cyrus F. Hoffman, Trenton.

N. J., assignor to C. V. Hill & Company, Inc., Trenton, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey abiiiicajf oiipecember s, 1939,"Serial No. 308,161

8 Claims. (Cl. 312-107) This invention relates to refrigerated display cases and particularly to display cases which are inexpensive to produce and are capable of being assembled in any location to provide refrigerated display cases of various lengths.

Refrigerated display cases as heretofore constructed have generally been made in standard lengths of 8, 10 or 12 feet or have been made on special order in any desired length. Both standard cases and custom made cases are assembled completely in the manufacturing plant and are shipped to the customer as a unit. The ends of the cases are permanently attached to the body by welding or otherwise and are fully insulated to prevent heat loss therethrough. Long display cases, say 20 or 30 feet in length, have not often been made because they are very expensive to build, and extremely diflicult to handle and ship. For this reason when long cases are desired it is usual to employ two or more separate and comv pletely insulated cases placed in end to end relation.

However, since each completed case is formed with a fully insulated end member at each end of the case the abutting end members of cases so aligned take up from 8 inches to a foot of storage space that might otherwise be utilized; The area of the displaywindows is similarly limited and the ends of the cases limit the customers view so that one standing in front of one case may not look beyond the end thereof into I an adjacent case-to notice other articles on display only a short distance away. Moreover, when a store is rearranged or moved to a new location it is often necessary to use two short cases instead of one long case or vice versa. Heretofore such changes have been impossible or have made it Sometimes also one re atively short case is supplied with articles in great demand and the .doors thereof are opened frequently so that the temperature of the interior is raised while the temperature of anadjacent case wherein the doors are opened only infrequently may be much lower. This is par-v ticularly objectionable in'constructions wherein a number of cases are cooled by coils connected together without separate expansion valves, as is often true when the refrigerant used is ammonia. In such systems it is necessary to over cool the case which is opened only seldom in order properly to cool the case which is opened frequently.

In order to overcome these objections to constructions of the prior art and provide refrigerated display cases which may be of various desired lengths and provide a maximum of storage and display space, I have developed a refrigerated display case of a sectional type in. which the body is formed of any desired number of open ended sections. Members which are formed separately of the body of the case and are simple in construction are attached to the ends of assembled sections to provide ends for the case. Continuous display cases which are 20, 30 or 40 feet long or of other desired lengths can thus be made without the expense and difliculty in handling which would be inherent in equivalent constructions of the prior art. Furthermore, the extended and'continuous length of the refrigerated space provides a large reservoir of cooled air which may flow readily from one section of the case to another and thus serve to maintain substan tially uniform temperatures throughout the refrigerated space even though the doors of one section thereof are opened more frequently than those of another section.

An important advantage characterizing constructions embodying my invention resides in the ability to assemble or sub-divide cases or sections thereof to permit rearrangement of stores and store fixtures while using the same number of sections in the display cases. Thus a long case located on one side of a store may be subdivided into two short cases for use on opposite sides of a store or short cases used in a small store may be moved to a larger store and assembled as a long display case. 7

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel type of refrigerated display case embodying elements adapted to ,be assembled to produce refrigerated display cases of various lengths.

Another object of my invention is to provide simple and inexpensive constructions capable of ready transportation and assembly on the site to produce refrigerated display cases having various forms.

A further object of my invention is to provide novel elements for use in constructing and assembling refrigerated display cases.

These and other objects and features of my invention will appear from the following description thereof in which reference is made to the figures of the accompanying drawings:

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an extended perspective of a display case embodying my invention showing the elements-thereof separated from their assembled positions;

Fig.2 is a vertical sectional view of a detail of the construction illustrated in Fig. 1 taken on y the line 2-2 thereof; 7

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view of a detail of the construction illustrated in Fig. 1 taken on the line 33 thereof;

illustrating a typical invention;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional viewtaken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 5-6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 'l is a perspective of the and frame embodied in the section shown in Fig. l.'

In the construction illustrated in Fig. 1 a plurality of open ended display sections, indicated at 2 and I, are connected together in end to end relation to provide a continuous refrigerated space which extends from one open end of section 2 to the opposite open end of section 6. Each section is formed with an upper insulated display portion 6 and a which may be open at the rear. The base portion as shown is provided with a supporting frame l9 formed of angle members or the like and is closed at the front by a lower panel l2.

The upper display portion of each section has a glassvpanel l4 in the front thereof formed of a plurality of glass panels spaced apart to provide insulating dead air spaces 16 as seen in Figs. 5- and 6. The rear of the display portion is provided with doors l8 slidably movable horizontally within a frame l9 supported by an insulated rear structure 20. An insulated top 22 extends from the front glass panel II to the rear structure 26 whereas a heat insulating partition 24 extends across the bottom of the display portion and separates the display portion from the base portion 8 of the section.

Each section of the case is provided with a refrigerating element 26 which, as shown, has heat absorbing fins 26 and is located near the top 22 of the case and is supported thereby. Beneath the refrigerating elements are located drip pans 30 which may be inclined toward the center of the section to discharge moisture collected thereby into a drain 32 which extends downward at the rear of the section between pairs of the sliding doors l8. While the refrigerating elements in adjacent sections may use ammonia or any other material as refrigerant and may be connected in series and controlled by a single expansion valve if desired, it is usually preferable to provide each section with a separate expansion valve so that when the sections are used independently it is unnecessary to make any changes in the refrigerating element.

The front l4, top 22, rear structure 20 and the partition 24 serve as longitudinally extending walls for the refrigerated space within the display portion 6 of each section. These elements are provided at each end with members that lie in a as a frame 36 which extends about the ends of the display portion of each section. This frame shown in Fig. '1 serves to hold the elements in place so that the front and rear of the section will support the top 22 and the refrigerating element 26.

In the construction frame 36 is formed as a member 25, a rear support 21, a base 29 and, a frontv support 3|, each of which is formed of relatively heavy non-metallic material such as wood. The end frame is rabbeted at II- on the outer edges thereof, as seen in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, to receive the inturned flanges 43 of the outer metallic shell, and is similarly rabbeted at 45 on the inner edges to receive the outwardly turned flanges 49 of the inner-metallic lining of the section. The front member ")0 of the frame supports the spacing elements 96 for the glass panels and is relatively thin so that when the end frames 36 of adjacent sections are in abutment the front members tion to the view of articles on display within the display space. The intumed flange 43 of the lower base portion 8 common vertical plane and serveshown Figs. 1 and 'l,the

unit and includes a rear I00 present but little obstruct outwardly turned flange 49 of the inner lining lie substantially in the plane of the end face I62 of the front member I69 of the frame 36. Thesefianges are spaced apart to prevent direct transfer of heat from the outer shell to the inner lining. The portions 51 of the shell and lining overlie the free edges of the sealing element 93, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, and hold said edges in contact with the glass panes. Insulated metallic cover plates, shown at 53 in Fig. 5 and at 55 in Fig. 6, extend over the outer portions 5| of the shell to present a neat finished appearance to the assembled units.

The top of the frame 36 is formed with a relatively thin framing member 33, the end of which overlaps and fits into the rear member 25. A top reinforcing member 35 is secured to the top frame member 33 brackets 33.

The sections are provided at each end with means for use in securing each section to an adjacent section or pleting the display case. Each case also may be provided with means for positioning the ends of the sections and the and members in alignouter shell and the mom so that they may be easily and properly connected together even when placed on uneven flooring or on floors which sag somewhat between the ends of the assembled sections. For this purpose brackets 38 shown in Figs. 4 and 5 are secured to the top reinforcing member 35 of the end frame 36 of the sections and adjacent the ends thereof. end of each section are provided with bolt receiving apertures 31- and with stud receiving apertures 39 whereas the brackets secured to the opposite ends of the sections are provided with complementary bolt receiving apertures and taceiving apertures ll which are pered studs 49 adapted to enter the apertures 39.

When forced together the studs 46 and apertures 39 cooperate to align the bolt holes bring the ends of the proper re try. The frame it! of the lower base portion of the section is provided with bolt realso brought into registry by the studs 49. Bolts 42 extend through the apertures in the brackets 38 and in the frame "I to draw the sections together and hold them securely in place.

The upper surface of the insulated partition 23 which divides the display portion 6 from the base 8 of each section is provided with a porcelain-enamel liner II, the ends of which are turned upward at 46 and lie substantially in the same plane as the frame 36. These upturned ends of the liner are located adjacent to each other when the sections are joined together and suitable sealing means such as the U-shaped sealing strip 51 shown in Fig. 2, are applied to the liners to seal the space between the same.

In applying an end to a section a closure plate 48 is employed and preferably is separable from the insulated and member to simplify the appli- 31 and to cation thereof. The lower edge of the plate 43,

to receive and support the to an end member for com- I The brackets located on oneadjacent elements into the .uptumed end 46 of the the outer metallic shell of the case as shown at 'sulation 86. The inner marginal extremity of 4'! in Fig. 6 and if desired may be removably secured thereto. The inner surface of the closure plate is provided with a porcelain-enamel fln-.

ish and presents a smooth surface having a neat appearance and capable of being readily cleaned. An insulated end member 64 is secured to the section over the closure plate 48 to complete the x structure and reduce heat losses through the closure plate. Preferably the end member is formed with a sheet metal frame having an outer surface 66 and a marginal flange 58 extending inward from the surface 56 about the front, top and rear edges thereof. The inner extremity of the flangeJB is turned inward at 60 parallel to the outer surface 56 and is positioned to engage the exposed face of the top framing member 33 of the end frame 36 of a section but is spaced from the edges of the closure plate 48 so that there is no direct heat transfer from the closure plate to the exterior of the case.

Within the frame of the end member is a horizontally extending wooden strip 62 located adjacent and parallel to the top framing member 33 of the end frame 36' to support a bracket 64 and a bolt 66. The bracket'used on one end of the case is similar to the bracket 38 used on the opposite end of a display section and is formed with a stud 40 and a bolt receiving aperture 31. Similarly the bracket used on the end member to be applied to the opposite end of the case will be formed with an aperture 39 to receive the stud 40 carried by the adjacent end of a display section. The closure plate 46 is provided with apertures 68 which coincide with the apertures and stud of the brackets 38 carried by the top of the end frame of the case. The bolts 66 extend through the wooden strip 62, the aperture 31 in the bracket 38 and the complementary bracket on the display section and a nut 69 is applied to the end thereof to draw the parts together.

A transversely extending member I extends from the front to the rear of the frame of the end member adjacent the upper apertured angle member ID of the base portion of the case and bolts 12 extend therethrough to enter the apertures 4| therein to secure the lower portion of the end member in place. Heat insulating material 14 is confined at the sides by the marginal flange 56 and the inturned extremity 69 of the frame of the end member and is supported by the member in position closely adjacent or in contact withthe outer face of the closure plate 48 to reduce heat loss therethrough.

The sectionsare each provided with an outer porcelain enamel shell 16 which is stepped in at the ends of the case along the top, and along the front and rear edges as shown at 18 in Fig. l. A T-shaped rubber sealing strip 80 is located between the ends of adjacent sections as shown in Fig. 3, and is positioned so that the portion 82 thereof engages theadjacent end frames 36 of the sections. The shoulder 84 of the sealing strip is thus located in the recess formed by the adjacent stepped portions 18 of the sections and the projecting edges 86 of the strip extend beyond the edges of the recess to provide an effectivespaced seal and present an attractive appearance at the joint between the sections.

In order to provide a similar effective and attractive seal between a section andv an end member, the end member is provided with an'outer porcelain-enamel shell 88 which is spaced from the surface 56 of the end frame member by inthe attaching bolts the shell is'turned inward at 82 and extends into the stepped-in recess 18 on the end of the adjacen't section. A 'rubber sealing strip 94 of 8- shape is applied to the inturned extremity and the section to seal the joint between the end member and section. The beading on the projecting portion of the sealing strip thus conceals the joint and serves to present a neat appearance.

The construction and manner of sealing and supporting the multiple glass panes which form the panel in the front of the display sections of the case may be varied considerably, but in order to provide a narrow construction at the point of connection between the sections and at the same time provide a construction which serves to provide adequate support for the top of the case, I.prefer to form the front portion I06 of the frame 36 as shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7. with this construction the Hill which is in the form of a strip which pre-' sents an outer face I 02 lying in the same plane as the corresponding faces of the remaining por-. tions of the frame 36.

When sealing means such a rubber sealing strip of the type shown in Fig. 3 are located between the adjacent members I00 of the frame in forming a long display case, the frame members, of course, are not in direct contact but bear against the sealing means and are drawn together by 42 so as to insure proper positioning of the ends of the display sections and proper sealing of the multiple glass panels in the front of each display section. The width of the frame and of abutting frame members at the adjacent ends of the sections is' very limited whereas the members I00 are so held in place that they cooperate to insure adequate support for the top 22 of the case and the refrigerating element 26 for each section.

The use of open ended display sections and detachable end members in forming refrigerated display cases as described above serves to permit any desired number of sections to be assembled erated space" also provides a reservoir of cool air.

which serves to maintain uniform temperatures throughout the refrigerated space and thereby compensates for the frequent opening and resulting rise in temperature of those of the connected sections wherein the doors are opened frequently. At the same time the construction permits the sections tobe separated and reassembled in any desired arrangement for use in *other stores or in other portions of the same store. In order to effect such rearrangement of the sections of a display case it is simply necessary to remove or disconnect the connecting means 42. which hold thesections together and to apply a closure plate 46 and an end member 54 to the open end of each of the separated sections. Similarly the end members and closure plates of separated sections may be removed and the sections placed in end to end relation to form' 'a long display case.

Constructions embodying .the present invenglass panes iii are held in relation by means of spacing strips 86 tion have the further advantage that sections of uniform length may be made. much more economically than when a number of display cases of different length or special lengths are produced. Moreover, members may be shipped and handled easily and can be assembled in place much more readily than has been possible heretofore. If desired a number of section lengths may be made and kept in stock to provide display cases of any desired length. Thus by I 6 and 8 foot lengths two 6 foot sections can be connected to produce a case 12 feet in length, a 6 and an 8 foot section can be connected for a l4 foot case, two 8 foot sectionswill form a 16 foot case and three 6 foot sections will be used in an 18 foot case. Other variations and combinations of sections may be similarly joined to form very long or very short cases.

It will also be evident that the form andconstruction of cases and parts thereof embodying my invention may be varied to produce display cases with bottom storage chambers or to produce cases of different appearance and construction. In view thereof it should be understood that the embodiment of my invention herein shown and described is intended to be illustrative thereof and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Iclaim:

l. A refrigerated display case comprising an open ended section having an insulated upper display portion and a. lower base portion open at the ends and the rear and closed at the front, an insulating partition separating said display portion from said base portion, a closure plate the display sectionsand end forming sections in standard removably secured to said section and presenting an inner surface closing the end of said display portion, an insulated end member removably secured to said section over said closure plate to reduce heat loss through said plate, said end member having a portion thereof extending downward and closing the end of the base portion of the case and means detachably securing said end member to said section.

2. A refrigerated display case comprising an open ended section having an upper insulated display portion and an open lowerbase portion,

an insulating partition separating said display portion from said base portion, an end member removably secured to said section, said end member having a marginal frame and a support extending from the front parallel to said partition, a closure plate engaging the end of said section and closing the end of the display portion thereof and insulating material located above said support and confined at its edges by the marginal frame of said end memsaid closure plate, and means 'on said end member cooperating with means on said section for securing said end member to said section.

4. A refrigerated display case comprising an open ended display section having a metallic liner, non-metallic frames at opposite ends of said section, a metallic closure plate engaging said end frame and liner, and an insulated end member removably secured to the end of said section to reduce heat loss through said closure plate,'said end member being formed with any outer metallic surface having a flange extend ing inward therefrom with the extremity of the flange turnedinward parallel to said outer surface and engaging the non metallic frame of said section and insulated from said liner and closure plate by said endframe.

5. In a' refrigerated ended section having an outer metallic shell and an inner metallic liner with insulating material located between the same, end frames located display case, an open 7 at opposite ends of said sections and formed of non-metallic material serving shell from the inner liner, a metallic closure plate closing one end of said section and secured to the end frame thereof with the edges of the plate spaced from the outer metallic shell and an insulating end member also secured to said end frame closely adjacent said closure plate and serving to prevent heat loss through said closure plate.

6. A refrigerated display case comprising a plurality of similar open ended sections each having an outer metallic shell and an inner metallic liner with insulating material located between the same, end frames on said sections each formed of non-metallic material and se'rv- 7 ing to space said outer shell from said inner liner, means on said end frames for connecting said sections together in end to end relation with the outer metallic shell of each section spaced from the inner metallic liner of the adjacent section and insulating end members closing the opposite ends of the terminal sections of said case.

"I. A refrigerated display case comprising an open ended section having an outer metallic shell with a flange turned inwardly adjacent the end of the section, an inner metallic liner with a flange turned outward adjacent the end of the section, heat insulating material located to the rear of'said frame I ber and said support, said insulating material lying closely adjacent the outer surface of said closure plate to prevent heat loss therethrough.

3. A refrigerated display case comprising an open-ended display section having a top, a bottom and front and rear structures serving as horizontally extending walls defining a refrigerated space, said walls having non-metallic elements at the ends lying in a common plane normal to said walls, a metallic closure plate presenting an inner surface closing the end of said refrigerated space and having marginal portions engaging said frame, an insulated end member having a metallic shell also engaging said frame .but spaced from said closure plate and insulated therefrom by said elements and serving to reduce heat loss through thereof constituting a frame members cooperate between the shell and liner, a non-metallic frame adjacent the end of the section and spec'- ing the flanges on said shell and liner, a metall 1c closure plate for the end of said section secured to the frame and overlying the outwardly turned flange on the liner but havin its edges spaced from the inwardly turned flange on the outer metallic shell and an end member also secured to said frame and embodying heat insulating material held closely adjacen said closure plate to reduce heat, loss therethrough.

8. A refrigerated display case comprising a plurality of similar open ended display sections each having spaced glass panels in the front thereof, spacing strips for holding said panels in position, cooperating end frames on said sections each including a non-metallic member supporting said spacing strips and means on said end frames for securing said sections together with said members in contact so that said in strengthening the support for said spacing strips.

CYRUS F. HOFFMAN.

to space the outer 

